LinkedIn technical commentary ahead of earningsA risk to the stock is a potential head and shoulders top pattern that has been developing since late July of last year. The right shoulder is not complete, and would not be unless or until there is a move below the $191 area. If there was a negative surprise the pattern could be triggered by a gap down in price. Potential downside in that event over time would be to the $125 to $130 area. If the news is bullish, the current bullish price channel would continue. Resistance levels to watch as potential upside objectives would be at $238.77, $246.23, $256.71, and $267.63.

LinkedIn July weekly volatility increases into Q2 and outlook LinkedIn July weekly call option implied volatility is at 181, August is at 64, September is at 46; compared to its 52-week range of 21 to 62, suggesting large near term price movement into the expected release of Q2 results on July 30.

Facebook price target raised to $110 from $94 at CowenCowen analyst John Blackledge raised his price target for Facebook (FB) to $110 ahead of the social media giant's Q2 results on July 29. Investor sentiment has grown more positive recently given Facebook's "explosive" video growth and the opening of the Instagram platform to advertisers, Blackledge tells investors in a research note previewing the Q2 results this week for Internet names. He keeps an Outperform rating on the stock. Blackledge also keeps Outperform ratings on LinkedIn (LNKD) and IAC (IACI) as well as a Market Perform rating on Twitter (TWTR). Those three companies are also reporting Q2 results this week.